Mixing work and play?

I’ve avoided this topic for a while. Partly because I know a handful of my coworkers read this blog (heeeeey guys!) and I don’t need rumors flying around the office. But oh well, people keep asking for an exploration of this topic, and who am I to refuse to give the people what they want?

Dating people you work with. Good idea or nah? I asked around and got the following responses:

  • Where else are you supposed to meet anyone?
  • I’m not gonna let d*ck come between me and my money.
  • As long as the company’s big enough so you don’t run into them, it should be fine.
  • It really depends on the power structure.
  • Don’t f*ck the help.
  • You should be grown enough to still be able to work with someone if it doesn’t work out.

So, as I do, I thought about allllll of these responses and came to the following (personal) conclusion: I’m not in favor of this whole dating coworkers business. At all. I can tell you why. And I will.

Let’s first tackle one of the arguments used in my response group. We should be able to deal with rejection or things not working out or even just a bad date, right? We’re all adults here. Absolutely true. I’m actually more concerned with if it DOES work out. Apart from all the reasons I’m about to list underneath, people make assumptions. It’s very easy to get accused of nepotism-like practices if your coworkers know about your situation. And sometimes you’ll try to counter it and actually make it worse and be unreasonably harsh on each other.

situationship_chronicles-work_dating-oprah_side_eye

Then there’s the most obvious reason: I want to leave my job at the office. I don’t wanna come home and still be dealing with work and the people related to it. Sure, in any other relationship you’re gonna come home and talk about work as well. But in those cases you don’t actually know the people your SO is complaining about, or you at least don’t have to work with them the next day.

Of course this works both ways. I’ve been told I have an expressive face. A natural inability to keep a straight face. Complete lack of a pokerface, if you will. So imagine this: your SO, who’s also your coworker, refuses to pick up their dirty socks. In the morning rush at your home, you slip on a stray sock and try to grab onto anything to save your life. Your favorite silk shirt gets stuck on the banister and rips. Now you’re going to be late for work because you have to change AND your fancy shirt is ruined. All because of your lazy SO. Yeah. Try and not let people notice you’re mad at them while sitting on opposite desks and refusing to have lunch together. This is not a true story or anything though.

Still wanna take a crack at it despite my warnings? Fine. I found you a helpful step by step guide. God be with you.